Ortalyk
| Capitol | Kala Astanals |
|---|---|
| Head of State | Tsar Batil Zhurek |
| Government | Tsarist Autocracy |
| Location | Central Otan |
| Racial Mix |
|
| Founded | 1 IM |
| Founded by | Zhurek Dynasty |
Ortalyk boasts the largest population (human or otherwise) of any nation in Otan. Many factors including it's size, population, central location and apparent eagerness to trade with non-human races, Ortalyk remains a dominant influence in most aspects of world politics.
Population
The bulk of the Tsardom of Ortalyk is made up of the Ortalykshilar people, who have presumably existed in the region since before the year 1 IM.
In recent times, particularly in the northwest regions of the Ortalyk, other humanoid races including Ælfes, Dweorges and even Grendel have been trading and occasionally setting in the region. Most settlers are typically in service of the massive trade routes, however many settle thanks to the high levels of security provided by the nation's leader, Tsar Batil Zhurek. There are small enclaves of Ælfes inhabiting the woodland areas.
Geography
Ortalyk is a huge country bordering several other nations and the ocean in the east. At 156,1000 square miles it is the third largest country in Otan. It features 28 cities that are divided between 8 provinces and one territory. The Astanals River flows nearly the length of the country from the city of Karagay all the way to the capitol of Kala Astanals.
Ortalyk Regions
Ortalyk is made up of 9 distinct provinces, each under the control and supervision of a Boyar. Unless otherwise directed by the Tsar, the Boyar will appoint and administer the Governors of the settlements within their provinces. They Boyar will also raise and administer a military force to represent their province in the country's overall military force. The number of troops to be supplied is relational to the population of the province.
Astanals Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 3,260 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 285,736 |
| Urban population | 83,984 |
| Total population | 369,720 |
The Astanals Province is home to the nation's capitol, the largest city on Otan. The major settlements are as follows:
- Kala Astanals (pop 77,779) - provincial and national capitol
- Uyenki (pop 6,205)
Gemlok Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 9,292 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 601,599 |
| Urban population | 22,393 |
| Total population | 623,992 |
The Gemlok Province is one of the least populated regions of the country. The major settlements are as follows:
Kalampir Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 19,832 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 1,242,968 |
| Urban population | 94,630 |
| Total population | 1,337,598 |
The Kalampir Province is the most populated region of the country. The major settlements are as follows:
- Xikori (pop 64,909) - provincial capitol
- Kizilagas (pop 13,751)
- Sirsa (pop 12,914)
- Torsik (pop 3,056)
Karagay Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 11,348 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 354,202 |
| Urban population | 32,686 |
| Total population | 386,888 |
The Karagay Province is a small province with only three major settlements. The major settlements are as follows:
Neim Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 22,424 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 881,971 |
| Urban population | 62,164 |
| Total population | 944,135 |
The Neim Province is the home of six major Ortalyk settlements, which are as follows:
- Balkaragay (pop 26,249) - provincial capitol
- Arsa (pop 7,419)
- Jumaskagas (pop 11,896)
- Kattigaskar (pop 4,133)
- Muyiz (pop 3,204)
- Siegasi (pop 9,263)
Rezenke Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 8,836 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 598,978 |
| Urban population | 29,679 |
| Total population | 628,657 |
The Rezenke Province borders two countries and the ocean, but has neither a port nor trade routes the the neighbouring Batis or its southern neighbor Aydahar. With strained relations between humans and the dragonborn, it is understandable that the latter routes do not exist, however the Batis traders seem to pass Rezenke by on matters of trade, preferring to trade directly in the capitol.
The Rezenke Province is home to only two major settlements, which are as follows:
Sayagasi Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 16,348 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 1,086,625 |
| Urban population | 82,406 |
| Total population | 1,169,031 |
The Sayagasi Province is perhaps the safest in the country having no foreign borders. Raiding ships would also have to pass other Ortalyk provinces to approach the Sayagasi coast, which would be a rare and difficult prospect. Almost all coastal travel on the Sayagasi coast is devoted to trade.
The Sayagasi Province is host to seven major settlements. These are as follows:
- Jangak (pop 42458) - provincial capitol
- Dolana (pop 8173)
- Karagas (pop 8169)
- Kayin (pop 10593)
- Kizgaldak (pop 4389)
- Omela (pop 5616)
- Talsin (pop 3007)
Sop Province
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 8,072 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 136,161 |
| Urban population | 14,437 |
| Total population | 150,598 |
The Sop Province's lone city of Balsagasi receives few visitors. The province of Sop Borders Ontustik to the south, however the Calphate is rarely interested in affairs outside its borders. The Sop Province is home to only one major settlement, which serves as it's capitol:
- Balsagasi (pop 14,437) - provincial capitol
Former Kiywar Territory
| Land mass (sq. mi.) | 56,468 |
|---|---|
| Rural population | 240,305 |
| Urban population | 0 |
| Total population | 240,305 |
The former Kiywar Territory is no longer part of Ortalyk having seceded to form the new republic of Jalinjeri.
The Kiywar Territory was the largest and least populated region of the country and has no official settlements. An unofficial settlement had recently been established prior to its secession. It now serves as the capitol of the newly formed republic of Jalinjeri:
- Jalinbeti - Unofficial Settlement founded by Hedgewind Jalinbeti
Notable Ortalyk Landmarks
- Zhurek Palace - The seat of Ortalyk power, situated in Kala Astanals
Political Environment
Ortalyk's current leader, Tsar Batil Zhurek was granted his title by his family, the legendary Zhurek dynasty. While it is traditional for the role of Tsar to pass from father to son, it is the Zhurek family who are the final arbiters. They have on rare occasions passed over sons for succession in favour of daughters and deposed reigning Tsars in favour of other family members. The tradition is family rule over all other tradition.
It is well known that the Zhurek dynasty has existed since 1 IM, but what is not known is how far back it actually existed. Some speculate a legacy as long as 1,000 years. Ortalyk's best spellcasters and clerics have been unable to divine information from before the Great Erasure in which the memories of all creatures and men of Otan were lost.
International Politics
With human and non-human states on all sides, Ortalyk often operates in broad strokes when it comes to managing their relationships with neighbor states. Ortalyk has been in nearly a constant state of war with the Ungirsi, Grendel and Kuuliki nations to the north. It has been in repeated conflicts with both their human and dragonborn neighbors to the south, the former for reasons that stem from religion and the latter for providing political, financial and material support to their kobold ancestors.
National Politics
Ortalyk is made up of 9 provinces, each of which is administered by a Boyar, including the capitol province of Astanals. The Boyars in turn nominate Governors to manage each settlement in their domain. While keeping life running smoothly in their assigned province is their chief concern, each Boyar is ultimately responsible to provide troops to the Tsar including infantry, crossbowmen and cavalry organized as divisions of the Tsar's Army.
Provincial Politics
In every province there are one or more settlements of a thousand or more Ortalykshilar. Each of the 28 settlements is administered by a Governor, who is appointed either by their representative Boyar or in some cases, by the Tsar himself.
Civic Politics
The Governors are tasked with maintaining the cities, providing security for the inhabitants and assisting in recruiting for their reigning Boyar. During times of peace, it is not unusual for a city governorship to be a lifetime appointment unless corruption, egregious mismanagement, or other malfeasance is found in their administration. Minor frailties in a governor's rule will generally be met with 'special assistance' from the Boyar, or even the Tsar, before they are ever replaced.
Military
The Ortalyk military is made up of 18 regular divisions and one special division dubbed The Tsar's Guard. The latter are hand picked soldiers from the other provincial regiments. Provincial divisions are recruited and organized by that province's Boyar, though it is rare for the Boyar to be part of the division. Each division not led by the Boyar is commanded by soldier of the rank of general.
Military organization can vary from one division to another depending on a number of factors from recruitment and logistics, to terrain and the nature of the enemy. Flying enemies may require special tactics, while tunneling enemies require another. The bulk of most regiments are made up of infantry, followed in numbers by crossbowmen, cavalry, engineers, quartermasters, signallers and special forces. The latter often made up of spellcasters and other adventurer classes.
The Tsar's Guard is in contrast, low on infantry, while rich in crossbow and cavalry. This special division is also host to some very powerful spellcasters and other adventure classes with the Tsar Batil Zhurek having often taking to the battlefield himself.
History
The capitol of Ortalyk, Kala Astanals, has simply existed for all of known time. It's name in the Ortalykshilar tongue, once assumed to be the common tongue means "capitol city". Under the leadership of the Zhurek dynasty, Ortalyk has been in a state of constant war, most often with Orks and their like but periodically with other more agreeable humanoid racess such as Elves and Dwarves.
Many of these great conflicts found their origins in the wars fomented by the great wizard Nickar and his sworn enemy Zoranthar. It was Batil Zhurek with the help of Shardenzar Sardarbek who eventually brokered a peace between them. This peace ultimately spread through most of the Otan, though pockets of conflict continue to exist.
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